http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/program-offers-incentive-visit-local-sites_33613.mp3
The Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri DNR and the National Park Service are some of the organizations that have teamed up to offer incentives to visit local sites through the Partnership for Environmental Education Programs. One passport is given to each family that takes part, and, at each visit to one of the participating places March 17th through 25th, they answer questions about that site, and have the passport stamped.
Diana Steele, public service assistant with the Department of Conservation, says the program is designed for families with elementary-age children…
"This is just kind of a way of getting them outside and going to a few, like the Missouri Department of Conservation and some other historic sites and a fish hatchery, just to get them out and maybe explore some areas they haven't seen yet."
Places participating in the Passport to Adventure program include the Nathan Boone Homestead State Historic Site, George Washington Carver National Monument, Missouri Department of Conservation in Joplin, Neosho National Fish Hatchery, Prairie State Park, Roaring River State Park, Southeast Kansas Nature Center and Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center.
According to Steele, once families have visited six places and collected six stamps…
"They will get a PEEP patch. It's a little patch, and it has a spring peeper on it, and it says "Partners for Environmental Education Programs."
Families can begin their Passport to Adventure at any of the participating sites and pick up their passport at the first location.